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Deja vu for Long County Blue Tide
BrandonMcManus
Brandon McManus slams a two-run double in the fourth inning during Long Countys 6-5 loss to No. 5-ranked Appling County on Tuesday in Ludowici. It was the Blue Tides second narrow loss to a top-10 team in less than a week. - photo by Photo by Mike Riddle

It’s understandable if the Long County High School baseball team is experiencing a sense of deja vu this week.

The Blue Tide faced a ranked opponent Tuesday for the second time in less than a week. Once again, the Tide came up just a little short, falling, 6-5, to No. 5-ranked Appling County in Ludowici.

"We were much better tonight (than against Bradwell on Monday). We had a much better effort, and we had great pitching from Jonathon Flynn and Shawn Mills," Blue Tide coach Brian Thomas said.

Appling County jumped out to a 3-1 lead, but in the fourth inning, things tightened up. With two runners on base, Blue Tide catcher Brandon McManus slammed a two-run double and Long County ended the inning with a 4-3 lead.

McManus finished the night 2 for 4 with a double and three RBIs.

But the Pirates were far from through and went back up, 6-4, in the bottom of the sixth.

Long County didn’t get rattled and scored again in the bottom of the inning to narrow the gap to one run.

The Pirates weren’t able to do anything in the top of the seventh, so Long County had one more chance to pull out the win.

The Tide put two runners on base in the seventh but couldn’t score

"We’ve got to have someone step up and get a big hit when we need it," Thomas said.

Each team had eight hits.

With Wednesday’s loss, the Tide’s record fell to 3-8 overall and 0-5 in Region 2-AA.

Of their eight losses, two have been by one run, and two more were by two runs.

Long County is at home again tonight when McIntosh County comes to town.

The Buccaneers are struggling this year with an 0-10 overall record and a 0-5 region mark.

The Tide have won their last two games against the Bucs and have won five of their last six meetings. Tonight’s game starts at 6 p.m.

 

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